'Fake cop' jailed after imitation gun is seized

SUPERIOR COURT -- An Allamuchy man who has been convicted of multiple weapons charges after authorities say he continues to portray the role of a police officer in public is again in jail after U.S. Customs officials seized an imitation handgun while it was en route to him.

Zachary R. Lent appeared in front of Judge N. Peter Conforti at the end of January and Assistant Prosecutor Jerome Neidhardt urged the judge to keep Lent detained.

"He is, in the state's view, a danger to others in the community. That's why the state filed a motion to detain him," Neidhardt said.

Lent was arrested on Dec. 6, 2017, after U.S. Customs officials seized a firearm in Philadelphia that was being shipped to Lent's home.

An investigation revealed that Lent purchased an imitation firearm from a company in Spain and the gun was being shipped via FedEx when it was seized, according to the affidavit of probable cause from Lent's arrest.

Officials transported the firearm to the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, where agents transported the firearm to New Jersey State Police barracks in Augusta.

A search warrant for Lent's residence was granted by Judge William J. McGovern in state Superior Court and authorities seized a large knife, handcuffs and electronic devices, the affidavit states.

At the time of his arrest, Lent had prior convictions that prohibited him from possessing weapons and was on home detention and probation.

Lent was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of an imitation firearm, fourth-degree; unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree; certain persons not to have weapons, fourth-degree; and possession of handcuffs, disorderly persons offense. He is also being charged with violation of probation.

Although Lent's attorney, public defender Thomas Militano, didn't believe his client was a flight risk, making note that his client was in court that day, Neidhardt stated that Lent has accumulated multiple weapons charges while on active probation and fails to comply with probation's terms.

Neidhardt also said he has concerns over Lent's mental health, since Lent "owns a car that looks like a police car, dresses like a police officer, carries guns like police officers, he thinks he is a police officer."

"The state is not going to consent to any release until a mental health evaluation is done," he said.

Neidhardt said he would consider adding additional probation to Lent's active probation, in lieu of a state prison plea deal, but needed to see Lent receive an evaluation that focused on the services and counseling he needs.

Court records indicate Lent has been arrested on possession of weapons charges multiple times in Sussex County, dating from April 2016.

Although details of those arrests are limited, he pleaded guilty in state Superior Court in September 2016 to weapons charges and was sentenced to two years probation and 68 days in jail.

In August 2017, he pleaded guilty to a separate set of weapons charges and was sentenced to three years probation and 180 days in jail.

Also in August 2017, Lent pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal sexual contact that required him to register as a sex offender through Megan's Law. He was sentenced to an additional two years of probation with 180 days in jail.

In April 2017, Lent was sentenced to an aggregate three years probation for additional drug charges and weapons charges.

In Warren County, Lent was arrested in April 2017 after Walmart's Loss Prevention staff alerted police to a suspicious man in the store.

Lent was found walking around the Mansfield Walmart wearing a security guard uniform and carrying a replica air-powered handgun.

He had a gunbelt on that also contained handcuffs and pepper spray, police said.

After his arrest, a search of his duffel bag in his car turned up a replica starter revolver with 43 rounds of blank ammunition, a folding knife and a black mask, according to police.

He was also in possession of amphetamines and $363 in counterfeit money, each bill printed on only one side.

Reports indicate Lent was charged in 2012 in Somerset County with two counts of possession of prohibited weapons. His charges were dismissed upon his completion in the pre-trial intervention program.

Lent is expected to appear back in court on March 16.

Lori Comstock can also be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook; www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.